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  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
  • Esperanza Rising by Pam Mu Ryan book cover
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Esperanza Rising

by Pam Mu Ryan Publisher: SCHOLASTIC

Award Winner Critically Recognized
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A new life shaped by hardship and change

$11.32 USD
$18.87 USD $11.32 USD
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Paperback New English

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Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    Pura Belpré Award Winner

    The metadata identifies the book as a Pura Belpré Award winner.

  • Critical praise

    Publishers Weekly starred review

    Publishers Weekly gave the book a starred review, with the quoted praise, “Readers will be swept up.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

A new life shaped by hardship and change

Esperanza’s move from her family’s ranch in Mexico to a Mexican farm labor camp in California places the upheaval of one family alongside the financial strain of the Great Depression. The novel centers on the contrast between the privileged life Esperanza knew and the work, poverty, and lack of acceptance she encounters after fleeing with her mother. Their circumstances become more precarious as illness and a strike for better working conditions threaten the life they are trying to build. These elements give the story a grounded focus on migration, family ties, and the challenges of adapting to sharply changed circumstances.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 9–12 interested in historical fiction set during the Great Depression.
  • Young readers seeking stories about migration, family, and adapting to difficult circumstances.

Themes

Migration and displacementPoverty and laborFamilyResilience amid change

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

**CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN PRINT!**

A modern classic for our time and for all time―this beloved, award-winning bestseller resonates with fresh meaning for each new generation. Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Christopher Paul Curtis, and Rita Williams-Garcia.

 

Esperanza Rising joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

Pura Belpre Award Winner

* "Readers will be swept up." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

Esperanza thought she'd always live a privileged life on her family's ranch in Mexico. She'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants, and Mama, Papa, and Abuelita to care for her. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard work, financial struggles brought on by the Great Depression, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When Mama gets sick and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--because Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.

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Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

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Ella

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.